America bans all travel from Europe for 30 days to fight coronavirus

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with banking industry executives about the coronavirus, at the White House, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump has tonight said he is suspending all travel between the US and Europe for 30 days beginning Friday as he seeks to combat a viral pandemic.

Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the novel coronavirus and saying US clusters were “seeded” by European travelers.

Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom and that the US would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.

Trump said “we are marshalling the full power” of the government and private sector to protect the American people.

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